Ratchet wrench



March 1, 1949. w. E. VAN HOOSE 2,463,220

RAICHET WRENCH Filed Sept. 19, 1944 2 Sheets-Shem. l

March 1, 1 w. E. VAN HOOSE amend M Patented Mar. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to ratchet wrenches.

An object of this invention is to provide a ratchet wrench construction wherein the ratchet effect is obtained by means of a toothless construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reversible Wrench construction which eliminates the usual pawl and ratchet elements, but at the same time provides an assembly or unit which is capable of being readily locked in either direction and which will rotate or swivel in the opposite direction.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reversible wrench unit which includes male and female wrench elements with a reversible clutch means which may be locked against rota tion relative to each other in one direction and which will permit free rotation of the wrench elements in the opposite direction.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reversible wrench assembly including male and female elements rotatably coupled together, and reversible clutch means for locking the wrench elements together against rotation in one direction while permitting free rotation of one element relative to the other in the opposite direction.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved clutch construction which will provide for selective reverse rotation of the coupled elements, and the positive locking of the elements against rotation in the opposite direction.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel reversing mechanism for a friction clutch.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel association between an improved friction clutch and a novel reversing mechanism.

A further object of my invention is to provide a readily reversible clutch-type mechanism which may serve as a brake or as an over-running clutch or free-wheeling device.

A further object is to provide a pivoted dog, partial rotation of which in a given direction permits the clutching engagement of a driven and a driving element in a given direction and partial rotation of which in a reverse direction permits said clutching engagement in the opposite direction while permitting said clutching engagement in an opposed direction.

With the foregoing objects in view, and others which may hereinafter more fully appear, I have invented the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a detail end elevation of a reversible wrench unit constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 3a is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Figure 3, with the clutching means in clutched position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line ii of Figure 2 with the releasing dog in a reversed position.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure '7 is a detail side elevation of one of the wrench elements.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan View of the wrench element shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective View of one of the segmental clutch members.

Referring to the drawings the numerals I ll and I I designate generally a pair of wrench elements which are adapted to be locked against rotation in one direction with respect to each other by the clutch means, to be hereinafter described. Wrench element II includes a nut member l2 which has secured to one end thereof a plate or head 13, having an annular drum forming flange 44 formed integrally therewith. Wrench element [0 includes a body I 5 having a nut socket 16 extending inwardly from the outer end thereof, and the body H5, at its inner end, is formed with a narrow flange l1 rotatably engaging within the outer portion of the drum M.

A ring 18 is secured to the outer end of the drum I4, by fastening members l9, which overlaps the flange I! so as to thereby rotatably secure the Wrench element ill in the drum I l.

The drum I 4 has loosely mounted therein, a pair of segmental clutch members 20 and 2| which have their inner straight faces 22 and 23 respectively in parallel spaced apart relation. Segmental members 20 and 2! are interposed between the inner end of wrench element In and the inner face of plate or head l3. The block 24 is somewhat loosely interposed between the straight sides of clutch members 20 and 2! adjacent one end thereof, and the block 24 is mounted in a slot 25 which is formed in a disk 26 interposed between the clutch members 26 and 2|, and the inner face of plate or head l3. The block 24 together with the disk 2% acts as a positioning element serving to keep the clutch members in a 3 substantially constant relationship to the clutching surface and to each other thereby retaining the several parts of the unit within operative limits. Other forms of spacing members serving such function may be employed.

A spring 21, which is mounted in a socket 23, formed in the plate or head 53, bears against the adjacent face of disk 25 and constantly urges disk 26 into engagement with clutch members 23 and 2| so as 't'o yieldably hold the'se clutch members against rotation with respect to disk 26, and plate or head I3. Said spring is optional and is not essential to my clutch mechanism.

Wrench member ID, at its inner end, is formed with a stud 29 projecting between members 23 and 2| and the stud 29 is formed with diametrically opposed fiat faces 39 and-x31 whichconfront somewhat loosely the fiat sides 22 and 23 respectively when the clutch is not under operational tension and which bear-against said clutch members, :or either of-themgsoiaszto force themradially or, in any event, outwardly into a position to lo'ckith'e clut'chnnechanism.

A releasing dog 32 is disposed in the-spacebetween lthetflat :sides #22 and zs adjacent the ends of clutch members 20 and 2! opposite from block 24. The dog 32-cis secured I170 ashaft 33 rotatably engaging in ian opening 34 formed in wrench member l0, shaft 33 being parallel with *"thelongitudin al. :axis of wrench member 10. Wrench member 110 is formed with a laterally opening slot 35 at a point outwardly from the lioldin wring 1:8, and therdog operating lever 36, which =issecured to shaft 33, extends throughifthe slot '35;

In the use and operation of this reversible wrench unit, the operator may beconnected to either one o'f the "wrench member's it or H If the article which is to be tightened i'or ldosened is rormed with -'a secret the operator iis engaged with socket l6, and the 'niit' nfember P2 isin- =s'erted in the -socket o'f tl'iezarticle. the article is to be unthreaded dog32 is timied to tlre pcs'i tion shown in Figure '3, "wherein one end or this ong will engage "fiat fa'c'e 23 of clutch member 2 i, and' the other enddfdog 3 2 will be'spac'edirom flat face 22 of 'lut'c'h m'eifiberfl. llvrench inexhber P0, upon b'ir'ig r'otated in a counter-clockwise direction, will eausecam stud 29 to partially rotatebetweenclutchmembers'Zoanii2 l fiat races 3|) and 3" of ham member '29 bearing against the confronting flat faces '22 and 23 01 c'lut'ch membersZ'll andTl so as'to thereby force these mem lbers outwardl-y andinto binding engagement with the inner side 'of 1 4.

hs th'emeniber 29 is partially rota'ted, dog m ember 32 will be swung in the direction of clutch member 20, as shown more creamy in Figure 3a. Iii-the p'osition o'f cam member '29 shown "in Fig- "ure ea, the wrench member it! is locked against rotation in a counter clo'ckw is'e direction due "to the cam'mingac'tion oft-hecam member '29. "With dog member "32 in the position shown in Figures "3 and 3a, -if' wren'ch member i0 is r'o'tat'ed "in "a clockwise direction, the 'endof dog member which contacts 'fiat 'fac'e'2 3 of cItitc'hmem'ber '21 in Figure 3, "will engage this'latt'er "flat .fa'ce at the time fiat face 31 or cam member 29 is substan tially parallelwith 'segmentf'acje 23 or before the operative face'sof the cam member '2' 9 are brought to'bear forcefully against the clutch members 28 or 2] or eitherof them. Continued rotation of Wrench member ID .in a clockwise direction will cause dog'mem-berafl to efiect rotation of clutch members JZlland =21, clutch .member 20 being ber 0 frely :rota'te in 'a countereclockwise direction, and tobe locked "with respect to wrench member H, in a clockwise direction, dog 32 is swung to the position shown in Figure 4. In this elatter position of dog 32 the operation will be the same as for dog 32 in Figures 3 and 3a except that the opposite end of dog 32 will contact flat face .22 of clutchmember 20 and thereby prevent the rotation of the cam 29 relative to the clutch members or friction shoes 20 and 2 i.

Although I have herein shown and described myinven-tion in whatI have conceived to -be=the most practical and preferred embodiment, .it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which-is not to be limited to the details disclosed therein but is to be accorded the -f1-1ll-scope-of'the claims so as to'embraceany-and-allequivalent devices.

It is obvious, for example, that one cam face and one clutch or segmental member willsufiice for the operationof my clutch, and that the-faces of the-clutch member and the-cam may -be-of any desirable shape. Likewise the block 2 or-disk 23 may be altogether omitted if the clutchmembers 20 and 2| are otherwise heldrat their endaormay be of a different form, -as for example, in 'two parts such as pins suitably retained in the-dist: 2'6, orabutting extensions of the clutch members themselves.

It will also be apparent from the description contained in thespecification and claimsthat-niy clutch mechanism is suitable not merely for wrenches, ibut for any type of clutch application or-asa brake .or free-wheeling device. It'is likewise apparent that the clutching action will be positive, quiet in operation, and effective with or without the use of springs or other tensioning devices.

The term-clutch throughout the claims is-to be understood as including not onlya clutch buta brake or free-wheeling device as well.

I claim:

1. A reversible wrench comprising a pair of wrench elementsrotatably coupled together,one of said elements including a drum forming cylindrical flange, a pair of segmental clutch members Within said drum, ablock interposed between said clutch members adjacent one end thereof, a releasing dog rotatably carried by the other of said wrench elements and disposed ibetweensaid clutch members oppositely from said block. and a cam fixed relative to said other wrench element and engaging between said clutch members, said cam being positioned'betwe'en said block and said dog, said dog, upon adjustment thereof to one position contacting at one end thereof with the flatinner side of one segmental member to thereby provide for holding said segmental members against rotation'in one direction with respect to said cam.

2. A friction clutch comprising a driven element and a driving element, one of-said elements having an axial bore, the other element "having an axial "extension in said bore provided with a cam face disposed toward a portion of the "wall of the "bore, a friction shoe dis'po'sed' between and Figures 3 and 3a,,

releasably lockable by and between a wall of the bore and the cam face when said face and said wall are relatively rotated, a pivotally mounted dog selectively engageable with the shoe at a point spaced from the point of contact between said cam face and said shoe and when so en aged preventing said locking engagement of said cam.

3. A reversible wrench unit comprising a pair of axially aligned elements, a drum carried by one of said elements, means rotatably securing the other of said elements to said drum, a segmental clutch member disposed in said drum, a cam carried by the other of said aligned elements engaging said clutch member whereby rotation in either direction of said cam effects a locking of said cam and said segmental member relative to said drum, and pivotal means for causing said segmental member to rotate freely with said cam in a selected direction within said drum preventing said locking in said selected direction.

4. A reversible wrench unit comprising a pair of axially aligned elements, a drum carried by one of said elements, means rotatably securing the other of said elements to said drum, a pair of segmental clutch members disposed in said drum and having thin straight edges substantially parallel and spaced apart, a cam carried by the other of said aligned elements engaging said clutch members until rotation in either direction of said cam eiTects a locking of said cam and segmental members relative to said drum, and pivotal means causing said clutch members to rotate freely with said cam in a selected directio within said drum, said latter means including a block disposed between said segmental members at one side of said cam, and a dog pivotally carried by said other aligned element engaging between said segmental members on the opposite side of said cam, said dog, upon rotation of said cam in one direction, engaging one of said segmental members to eiTect rotation of said segmental members with said other aligned element.

5. A reversible wrench unit comprising a pair of axially aligned elements, a drum carried by one of said elements, means rotatably securing the other of said elements to said drum, a segment-a1 clutch member disposed in said drum, a cam carried by the other of said aligned elements engaging said clutch member whereby rotation in either direction of said cam effects a locking of said cam and segmental member relative to said drum, and pivotal mean-s causing said segmental member to rotate in a selected direction with said cam preventing said locking engagement in said selected direction, said latter means including a positioning device disposed at one side of said cam and a dog pivotally carried by said other aligned element engaging said segmental member in at least one position of said dog to effect rotation of said-segmental member and said positioning device therewith.

6. A reversible wrench comprising a pair of wrench elements rotatably coupled together, a drum-forming cylindrical flange on one of said elements, at least one segmental clutch and at least one positioning device within the drum, a rotatably mounted releasing dog carried by the other of said wrench members engageable within the drum, and a cam positioned within the drum, facing said flange and engageable with said clutch member, said dog, upon rotatable adjustment thereof to a selected position causing said segmental member and said positioning device to rotate freely with said cam.

7. In a clutch comprising a driving element including a central cam, a driven element and a clutch member disposed between the elements normally lockingly engageable between the cam and the driven element in either direction of relative movement of said cam and driven element, a rotatably mounted dog upon one of the elements operative in a selected position to hold the clutch member out of said locking engagement in a selected direction of rotation of said driving element.

8. In a clutch comprising a driving element, a driven element, a cam operatively mounted on one of the elements, a clutch member disposed between the elements and lockingly engageable between the cam and the other element upon slight relative rotating movement of said elements, a dog pivotally mounted upon an inde pendent axis at one side of the cam-carrying element selectively engageable in at least one pivotal position to prevent said locking engagement, and means normally holding the clutch member in proximate engageable position relative to said Jam and said other element.

9. In a clutch comprising a driving element including a central cam, a driven element and a clutch member disposed between the elements and normally lockingly engageable between the cam and the driven element in either direction of relative rotative movement of said cam and driven element, a rotatably mounted dog upon one of the elements engageable in at least one selective position to prevent the clutch member from making said locking engagement in said selective position, and manipulative means associated with said dog for selectively altering its position so as to permit the interlocking of said elements against relative movement in a desired direction and vice versa.

10. In a clutch comprising a driving element including a central cam, a driven element and a clutch member disposed between the elements and normally lockingly engageable between the cam and the driven element in either direction of relative movement of said cam and dri en element, a rotatably mounted dog upon one or" the elements and engageable in at least one rotative position with the clutch member to prevent said locking engagement of the clutch member in said position, and a finger piece accessible from without said elements associated with said dog for selectively altering its position so as to selectively permit and prevent the interlocking said elements against relative rotation in a desired direction.

WILLIAM E. VAN HOOSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 333,143 McDonald Dec. 29, 1885 853,454 Holmgren May 14, 1907 1,859,600 Prettyman May 24, 1932 1,908,742 Farkas May 16, 1933 2,193,984 Rhinevault Mar. 19, 1940 2,201,705 Stone May 21, 1940 

